[Yaelle]

I have noticed slightly less flags in liberal neighborhoods, and I chalk that up to the fact that only those who actually OWNED large flags prior to the attack were able to display them, and in some of the upper-middle-class liberal neighborhoods, some people were above hanging flags on national days. My mother even had her flag stolen in front of her home (an elegant neighborhood, too).

[Logophile]

Anamensis wrote:

You might also try to make them state exactly what they think we should do. And make it clear that you don't mean "what we should NOT do" (war, bombings, deportations, etc...). When they start in on the activities of the CIA over the last 50 years, tell them that you want to know what to do NOW.

This is excellent advice. Put them on the defensive. You can do this politely, but firmly. (My guess is that they will soon give up and change the subject.)